What is ABAP?

ABAP(Advanced Business Application Programming, originally Allgemeiner Berichts-Aufbereitungs-Prozessor, German for "general report creation processor) is a very high level programming language created by the German software company SAP. It is currently positioned, alongside the more recently introduced Java, as the language for programming SAP’s Web Application Server, part of its NetWeaver platform for building business applications. Its syntax is somewhat similar to COBOL.

ABAP is one of the many application-specific fourth-generation languages (4GLs) first developed in the 1980s. It was originally the report language for SAP R/2, a platform that enabled large corporations to build mainframe business applications for materials management and financial and management accounting.

ABAP used to be an abbreviation of Allgemeiner Berichts aufbereitungs prozessor, the German meaning of "generic report preparation processor", but was later renamed toAdvancedBusinessApplicationProgramming. ABAP was one of the first languages to include the concept of Logical Databases(LDBs), which provides a high level of abstraction from the basic database level.

The ABAP programming language was originally used by developers to develop the SAP R/3 platform. It was also intended to be used by SAP customers to enhance SAP applications -customers can develop custom reports and interfaces with ABAP programming.The language is fairly easy to learn for programmers but it is not a tool for direct use by non-programmers. Good programming skills, including knowledge of relational database design and preferably also of object-oriented concepts, are required to create ABAP programs.

ABAP remains the language for creating programs for the client-server R/3 system, which SAP first released in 1992. As computer hardware evolved through the 1990s, more and more of SAP’s applications and systems were written in ABAP. By 2001, all but the most basic functions were written in ABAP. In 1999, SAP released an object-oriented extension to ABAP called ABAP Objects, along with R/3 release 4.6.

Where does the ABAP program run?
All ABAP programs reside inside the SAP database. They are not stored in separate external files like Java or C++ programs. In the database all ABAP code exists in two forms: source code, which can be viewed and edited with the ABAP Workbench tools, and generated code, a binary representation somewhat comparable withJavabytecode. ABAP programs execute under the control of the runtime system, which is part of the SAP kernel. The runtime system is responsible for processing ABAP statements, controlling the flow logic of screens and responding to events (such as a user clicking on a screen button). A key component of the ABAP runtime system is the Database Interface, which turns database-independent ABAP statements ("Open SQL") into statements understood by the underlying DBMS ("Native SQL"). The database interface handles all the communication with the relational database on behalf of ABAP programs; it also contains extra features such as buffering of frequently accessed data in the local memory of the application server.

SAP has three different layers as presentation layer (GUI), application layer (programs run on this) and data base layer where all data is stored and retrieved from user driven conditions, commands given by end user programmer through presentation layer.

Types of ABAP Programs

1. Report programs


2. Online programs


3. Subroutine pools


4. Function pools


5. Type pools


6. Class pools


7. Interface pools
   

What is SAP IDES ?

SAP IDES is server which is installed for training purposes. It has a lot of demo data. There are training companies which install the IDES version of the SAP R/3 which can be used for the training. Some companies also provide online access to thier IDES servers for a cost.

The system that contains several sample companies typifying relevant business processes. It is simple to use and has a variety of master and transaction data, and is used for demos, online/classroom training, and presentations. Potential customers use IDES to trial and test software via Internet.

For installing IDES 4.6C on a Laptop, you need :-

Pentium 3/Pentium 4 with any CPU
2*40 GB HDD
512 MB RAM
DVD Drive

For Installing IDES 6.0, you need:

Hardware Requirement for Central System
I. Minimum disk space
1. Database Software
1 GB (x64)
2 GB (IA64)
2. SAP system files (not including paging file)
5 GB (x64)
8 GB (IA64)
3. SAP database files (not including paging file)
76 GB
4. 4.3 GB of temporary disk space for every required installation DVD that you have to copy to a local hard disk
II. Minimum RAM 4GB
III. Paging file size 1 times RAM plus 8 GB

Hardware Requirements for a Distributed System
I. Minimum disk space
1. Database software
1 GB (x64)
2 GB (IA64)
2. Database instance (not including paging file)
76 GB
3. Central instance (not including paging file)
5 GB (x64)
8 GB (IA64)
4. In addition you require 4 GB (x64), or 8 GB (IA64) per additional platform.
5. Dialog instance (optional) (not including paging file)
2.5 GB (x64)
5 GB (IA64)
5. Temporary disk space for every required installation DVD that you have to copy to a local hard disk:
4.3GB
II. Minimum RAM 2 GB
III. Paging file size n Database instance
1.5 times RAM
Central instance:
1 times RAM plus 8 GB
Dialog instance (optional)
1 times RAM plus 8 GB

SAP IDES – the "Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System" in the R/3 System, represents a model company. It consists of an international group with subsidiaries in several countries. IDES contains application data for various business scenarios that can be run in the SAP System. The business processes in the IDES system are designed to reflect real-life business requirements, and have access to many realistic characteristics. IDES uses easy-to-follow business scenarios to show you the comprehensive functions of the R/3 System. The focal point of IDES, however, is not the functionality itself, but the business processes and their integration.

IDES not only covers the Logistics area, but also Financials, and Human Resources. It demonstrates how the R/3 System is able to support practically all types of industries, from discrete production through to process industries, from engineering-to-order to repetitive manufacturing. However, IDES is not a sector-oriented model company. The individual processes are based on practice-oriented data for sectors such as Retailing or Banking. The IDES group manufactures products as diverse as elevators, motorcycles, and paints.

IDES is managed by SAP just as any regular business enterprise. SAP regularly updates the IDES data (master data, transaction data, and customizing). IDES also carry out period-end closing and plan with different time-horizons. Transaction data are generated to ensure that the information systems in all areas have access to realistic evaluation data. IDES are constantly implementing new, interesting business scenarios to highlight the very latest functions available in the R/3 System. New functions are represented and documented by IDES scenarios.

Above all, IDES shows you the possibilities of the integrated applications in the SAP System. IDES cover all aspects of a business enterprise, including Human Resources, Financial Accounting, Product Cost Planning, Overhead Management, Profitability Analysis, Planning, Sales and Distribution, Materials Management, Production, and much, much more. IDES have also integrated document administration and third-party CAD systems within the IDES system. This means that you can call up and display external documents, or access CAD drawings.

IDES shows you how the R/3 System supports production processes, the supply chain, and the efficient usage of global resources. Or perhaps you would like to increase your understanding of just-in-time-production or the integration of the electronic KANBAN system in an MRP II environment? IDES provides the ideal way to learn about areas such as Product Cost Controlling, Activity-Based Costing, or integrated Service Management and Plant Maintenance. How to manage high inflation is just one of the ever-growing number of IDES business scenarios that you can choose from.